One, two, three, four
and even eight cylinders: Moto Guzzi tried everything, and this threecylinder bike
was one of its best efforts. Yet the ban on superchargers after WWII brought its
career - which was limited to a single race in 1940- to an end. The three-cylinder,
which was a personal project of Carlo Guzzi, debuted in 1939, when most European
factories were investigating supercharged multi-cylinders.

Short-lived superbike

With nothing in common
with the touring three-cylinder model of 1932, whose cylinders were virtually horizontal,
this competition bike was one of the most innovative of all time and -like his first
design of 1921 Â–demonstrated the immense creativity of Carlo Guzzi.

Breaking the Mold

It broke with all
his normal concepts: The unitconstructed engine was as compact as it was light,
thanks to the intensive use of magnesium and other special light alloys. A massive
casing covered the chain driving the twin overheadcamshafts, while the capacious
cover for the clutch was mounted on the end of the crankshaft (an unusual configuration
for Guzzi). The Cozette vane-type supercharger and the carburetor were mounted above
the gearbox, which - another original feature - had five speeds. The cycle part
was also unorthodox: The engine, which contributed to frame rigidity, was hung from
a single upper beam, and the swing arm rear suspension was controlled by a horizontal
spring beneath the engine.